We welcome existing members, new members and visitors to join our friendly and informative meetings followed by refreshments.
Meetings held first Tuesday in the month (excepting January and August) 7.00pm (at the now Herne Church Hall) Benstede Close
Canterbury Road Herne Bay (opposite Strode Park) CT6 7HE
Members Free
Visitors £3
February 4th RNLI saving lives at sea
Dave Parry takes us through his work and experiences as Helm and Mechanic at Whitstable Lifeboat Station.
March 4th one lane two parishes
Carol Davis shares her research on Herne’s Braggs Lane, situated on the edge of Blean Woods in both parishes of Chislet and Herne; including its inhabitants and their livelihoods.
April 1st MAISON DIEU DOVER
Heritage and Learning Officer Martin Crowther presents an illustrated talk about the restoration of today’s Dover Town Hall - once a place of refuge for pilgrims and destitute soldiers.
May 6th Herne’s bloomin vicars
Margaret Burns introduces two of Herne’s past clergy well known for their Rose Growing horticultural prize winning achievements.
June 3rd the Cinque ports
We welcome Len Howell and his illustrated talk on the Cinque Ports, formed in the 11th century as a group of important trading and defence ports along our South East coast.
July 1st Outside Visit
GUIDED TOUR of ST PETER’S CHURCH WHITSTABLE
“Those with eyes - and the mind to seek it out will find an unexpected Architectural Treasure, a Small Oasis of Calm and Beauty tucked away from the hurly-burly of twenty-first century life…..” by HISTORIAN Dr David Wright MA, PhD, FSG.
Meeting starts 2.00 pm Followed by Refreshments
“St Peter’s church has origins in the 1870s as a chapel-of-ease to minister to those living near the harbour…”
Tickets £6. per person now available at meetings
September 2nd MY TRIP ALONG THE STOUR
One time Blean Woods Warden, Michael Walter takes us on an ‘armchair walk’ to discover wildlife and nature’s sights along the riverbank.
October 7th How The Great War Changed Kent
With Remembrance Day in mind, Military Historian Dr Martin Watts explores the connections between Kent and the armed forces and its influences on our county.
November 4th Films from our archives
Plus our AGM
*
For more information contact Sylvia McKean 01227 281257 smckean22@tiscali.co.uk - the Group’s website Herne and Broomfield Local History, or find us on Facebook
Programme 2024
February 6th FOUNDING AMERICA - An illustrated presentation by Heritage and Learning Officer Martin Crowther on Cushman of Canterbury and the Mayflower Story
March 5th The Railway & Friendly Convalescent Homes Beltinge – Railway Historian Mark Jones looks at the philanthropic work of John Passmore Edwards
April 2nd The History of Bourne Park House Bishopsbourne - a Queen Anne style mansion with gardens featuring an 18th century Lime Avenue Illustrated talk by Dr Avril Leach
A MEETING NOT TO BE MISSED
This year commemorates 80 years of the D-Day Normandy Landings in 1944
May 7th Operation Fortitude - The Secret Success of D Day Illustrated talk by Len Howell; Part of the successful Military Deception Strategy by the Allied Army prior to the D-Day Normandy Landings on June 6th 1944
June 4th Sheppey WW1 Royal Naval Air Station Martin and Rosemary Hawkins from Eastchurch Aviation Museum look at the History of this important site in the First World W
July 3rd Outdoor Visit. Whitstable Castle Visit and Talk
Meet 6.00pm at The Castle: please meet outside (weather permitting) for a brief introduction to the architecture prior to the talk on the Castle's history by invited speaker Andrew Frame,
Tickets £2.50 per person. see latest Group Events Update.
September 3rd The Work of the Herne Bay Seaside Museum Trust
Claire Goodwin will talk about the work of the Herne Bay Seaside Museum,
October 1st History of your Village through Photographs, Documents and Ephemera - A History Group Presentation using Group Archives
N.B. This meeting will be held in the Herne Community Centre, School Lane, not the Church Hall
November 5th AGM, plus a fascinating presentation
The AGM, with the reselection of the Committee members and any new candidates, followed by a talk by Mark Harrison, FCA. The subject of the talk is Nelson and The East Swale Squadron.
December 3rd Christmas Meeting, with a film of past Herne Bay
An informal meeting. Bring your own biscuits and mince pies, etc,
Memories of Yesteryear: A selection of film images of Herne and Herne Bay in the 1970s.